Ouray in Ouray County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
Fellin Park
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2025
1. Fellin Park Marker
In approximately 1895 Joseph Fellin, a miner from Revo, Austria, came to Ouray, Colorado. In 1902, Joseph's wife Serafina and his sons Sam, Oliver, and Angelo arrived. Five years later their brother Alex was born in Ouray. When Oliver and Sam were in the fourth grade their father Joseph died forcing them to quit school and go to work to earn a living for the family.
In 1911 the Fellin brothers bought mules and horses and began a freighting business. Some of these animals were purchased from the Ute Indians that often camped in the existing town park. Many of the brother's mule trails in the mining region were made into the first roads of Ouray County. Eventually the Fellin's changed their mode of freighting to keep pace with the changing times. As soon as motorized cars and trucks became available they purchased a fleet of trucks and were some of the first people in town to have the benefit of four wheel drive vehicles.
Around 1919 Oliver and Sam Fellin made a generous offer to the town of Ouray: If you give me $1.00, I will give you a lease on the land for 99 years. Later, with the town's acceptance, Oliver, Sam, and Serafina deeded the park (Fellin Park) to the city of Ouray in 1924. The park has since become a cherished landmark used by locals and visitors alike. All made possible through the generosity of the Fellin family.
[photo captions]
Oliver Fellin drawn by Tanner Trujillo
Current Town Park, Photo by Malori Trujillo.
References: The Mystery Behind the History of Ouray 3rd & 4th Grade Class Ouray School, 2006.
Signage made possible through the efforts of the descendants of the Fellin Family, Ouray Woman's Club, Ouray School, Mt. Sneffels Education Foundation and Ouray County Historical Society
Erected by Ouray County Historical Society.
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.
Location. 38° 1.657′ N, 107° 40.298′ W. Marker is in Ouray, Colorado, in Ouray County. It is at the intersection of Main Street (U.S. 550) and 10th Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. The marker is located at the Fellin Park entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 235 10th Avenue, Ouray CO 81427, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Western Slope. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Smokey Joe Wood Field (here, next to this marker); Block 8: 800-848 Main Street (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Block 9: 700-746 Main Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Block 18: 601-647 Main Street
2. Marker detail: Oliver Fellin circa 1938
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Fellin Park
3. Marker detail: Fellin House circa 1912
The Fellin House was adjacent to Town Park. Left to right Serafina, Angelo, unknown man, Oliver, Sam, Alex.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 15, 2025
4. Fellin Park Marker
This marker is the leftmost of two interpretive panels at the Fellin Park entrance.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
